Wednesday is for Wellbeing

Acupuncture Awareness Week 2017

As an acupuncturist the condition I treat the most is mental wellbeing. Often people will visit me due to anxiety, stress or depression. Just as frequently people visit for other conditions which often have their roots in mental wellbeing. The great thing about acupuncture is that I can treat wellbeing and other conditions at the same time. Feedback I often hear from patients is “I feel less anxious”, “I feel like I have more clarity” and “I feel like I am coping better”.

Of course if there is a particular issue causing such feelings then acupuncture can be complemented by counselling. In a study by MacPherson et al (2013) both acupuncture and counselling produced significantly better results than usual care.

Are you feeling stressed, anxious, depressed or feeling overwhelmed with life’s demands? Acupuncture is a great way to take some time out for yourself to relax. Try acupuncture with 50% off for Acupuncture Awareness Week!*

Appointments available in St Neots, Cabridgeshire and Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire.

*Treatments must be booked by 13/03/2017

Tuesday is for Teenagers with Tummy Pain

Acupuncture Awareness Week 2017

Billy, an 11 year old, came for acupuncture treatment suffering with tummy pain, nausea and headaches. He had been examined by his GP who had found nothing wrong. The first thing to improve was his headaches, which were often accompanied by a feeling of frustration. By his 4th treatment the tummy pain and nausea had also improved. Treatment duration was shorter than for an adult to accommodate a teenage boy who might find it hard to sit still, and while Billy was a little nervous during his first appointment, when he realised how gentle the treatments where he soon became an acupuncture pro.

Children and adolescents under 16 are always accompanied by parents or guardians for their treatments. Want to find out more? 

Monday is for Migraines

Acupuncture Awareness Week 2017

Lucy came to see me suffering from migraines, a condition which came on suddenly and left her with constant and severe dizziness, painful headaches and anxiety, meaning she was unable to work. She had a course of acupuncture treatment, and by the 6^th treatment her condition had improved greatly. Lucy is back at work and only occasionally suffers with mild dizziness, while her migraines have gone completely.

Have you been affected by migraines? Acupuncture can help.

Appointments available in Letchworth, Hertfordshire and St Neots, Cambrideshire.

Acupuncture, cupping & tui-na

Sunny Jaspal has recently graduated with a first class BSc (Hons) in Chinese medicine acupuncture. To celebrate, Sunny is offering 50% off treatments for new and existing patients!*

Sunny practices traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture which is based on theories cultivated over 2000 years. Very fine needles are inserted into spesific points with the aim of balancing qi, the vital energy of the body. Qi may become disrupted due to environmental and lifestyle factors. An acupuncturist uses various diagnostic techniques to determine a point prescription.

Acupuncture can be used for specific problems, for instance headaches, migraines, back pain, neck pain or osteoarthritis of the knee. It can also be used for general ill health where there is no obvious diagnosis. For more information please visit http://sunnyjaspal.com/acupuncture. 

Cupping has recently received media attention due to the Olympics. It is, like Chinese massage tui-na, great for athletes and non-athletes alike. Cupping and tui-na treatments are often combined with acupuncture treatments, however they can also be requested separately. 

Book now for 50% off your first treatment!
T: 07582 684 756 E: hello@sunnyjaspal.com

*Please note your first treatment consists of a consultation and and therefore a shorter treatment. Offer valid until 31st October 2016.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory, premenstrual tension (PMT) also known as premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in the time leading up to your menstrual cycle may be caused by stagnation of Qi. Here are some tips to move your Qi and prevent mood swings, irritability, breast distension and bloating:

• Exercise: anything you enjoy – yoga, Pilates, qi gong, swimming, running – to move your Qi and clear stagnation.

• A balanced diet: avoid caffeine, alcohol and sugary foods which may cause peaks and troughs, exacerbating mood swings and irritability. Limit salt intake to prevent bloating. Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and ‘pungent’ foods such as basil, coriander and peppermint. Ensure portion sizes are not too big and chew your food thoroughly!

• Complementary therapies such as massage, reflexology or acupuncture: If you feel like the tips above are not working you may need a helping hand. Massage works in a similar way to exercise, moving Qi when it may be stuck. Tell your practitioner if you have any pain. Abdominal massage may be particularly beneficial at this time. Reflexology and acupuncture work on the meridians of the body to move Qi.
• Remember that PMT is not always caused by Qi stagnation. If you feel like the above tips are not helpful or make you feel worse, seek the advice of a TCM practitioner.

Want to find out more? Contact Sunny. Clinics in St Neots and Letchworth.

One of the most common complaints people seek treatment for is back pain, shoulder pain and neck pain. In fact more sick days are taken due to pain than any other ailment. Why do so many of us suffer with these conditions and what can we do to manage and prevent them?

Many of the people I treat are office workers, often sitting for long hours and working at computers. Poor posture, poor office ergonomics and working without breaks is a recipe for pain. This type of injury is often classed as a repetitive strain injury (or RSI) and may also include the hand, wrist, forearm and elbow. These problems may arise in any situation (not just at a desk) where bad posture is sustained.

Back, shoulder or neck pain can also be caused by depression, anxiety and stress. Sometimes there is no clear cause of pain. However, it still remains a very real problem that needs treatment.

Tips for Easing Pain

• Maintain correct sitting posture when working at your computer.
• Ensure the top of your screen is at eye level so you head is in a neutral position. If you work at a laptop then consider using a laptop riser.
• Elbows should have a 90-degree bend so that the tops of your arms are relaxed by your side, with your keyboard and mouse within easy and comfortable reach. Laptop users consider using an external keyboard.
• Feet should be flat on the floor (use a footrest if they do not reach) and knees and hips should have a 90-degree bend.
• Sit upright in a relaxed posture, using cushions to support your lower back if needed.
• Take regular breaks – use this as an excuse to keep yourself hydrated.
• Manage stress, depression and anxiety with self-care. Talk to your GP if you need help and consider other treatment methods such as acupuncture and counselling.

How can acupuncture help?

Acupuncture is great for easing pain. It is recommended by NICE for chronic pain, one of only four treatments recommended! Acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment, which uses slim, sterile and painless needles to gently encourage the body’s ability to heal itself. Acupuncture treatments include massage, cupping and heat therapy such as moxibustion or heat lamps if appropriate. Each treatment lasts an hour, and a course of 6 treatments is recommended. 

Want to find out more?

Natural ways to cope with the winter blues

As Autumn closes in and grey skies prevail, it seems appropriate to focus on light and how this affects our mood and health. We’ve all heard of the term ‘the winter blues’ but how many of us understand what this means?

There are many factors contributing to what is termed ‘Seasonal Affective Disorder’ by the medical community, a condition whereby an individual experiences depression in the colder winter months of the year.

Firstly, lack of bright light means that the production of melatonin and serotonin are limited, these are produced when light hits the retinas in our eyes, which then sends a signal to the brain. Serotonin is our feel good chemical and melatonin regulates our sleep rhythms. Therefore a lack of these chemicals will lead to low mood and problems with wakefulness.

Vitamin D deficiency can also lead to problems during the colder months, with vitamin D being absent through the sun’s ray between the months of October to March, when they are not of the necessary wavelength to produce Vitamin D upon contact with our skin.  An overwhelming 25% of the population are thought to be Vitamin D deficient, and recent studies are showing just how many systems in our body this can affect.

All of this poor lighting can leave you feeling depressed, stressed, anxious, lacking in energy and generally not your usual self. So what can you do to beat the blues? Below is list of suggestions that may help you feel brighter over this cold season…

• Light therapy – Using a light box lamp is a good way to ensure you’re receiving enough light for melatonin and serotonin production. They come in many shapes and sizes, and you’ll need to ensure you find one from a reputable seller.  Lumie light boxes are certified by the Medical Devices Directive and can be found at www.lumie.com. Watch out for the cheaper imitations which aren’t bright enough to produce the desired effect.
• Vitamin D supplementation – During the months of October to March when we don’t receive Vitamin D from the sun it’s a good idea to supplement, especially if you are deficient. Visit your GP to have your Vitamin D levels checked and think about supplementation
• Acupuncture can be helpful for managing conditions such as depression and stress. Many of clients come for treatment due to these very problems and find acupuncture helps them to cope and feel better. Regular treatment is recommended to get you back on track.

Want to find out more? Contact Sunny. Clinics in St Neots and Letchworth.